teaching
After teaching English, filmmaking, and television at the Universidad de Cuenca and Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador from 1998-2000, I went to grad school at UMass, Amherst where I taught first-year writing, television production, film history, and media studies from 2004-10. Since 2012, I've taught media studies, production, honors, travel, and internship courses at the University of Tampa. My current approach to teaching draws on both my doctoral training and my media production background through an on-going process of self-reflection, experimentation, syllabus revision, peer feedback, one-on-one meetings, and experiential and social-justice-oriented learning in off-campus settings. In both my studies and production classes, I hold students accountable to feedback by requiring them to describe, in detail, both the comments they received and how their latest draft/cut addresses them. I also encourage my students to revise not just for me, but also for their peers and beyond through extracurricular publication and exhibition venues such as journals, film festivals, and public blog posts. And I connect them to the professionals in their field by bringing in guest speakers like NPR TV critic Eric Deggans and Hot Docs documentary filmmaker Amy Benson and leading field trips to local media outlets like WEDU (PBS) and WFLA (NBC).
The courses I've taught the most at UT are COM 236: UTTV Student Television and COM 303 Studio TV I. UTTV is a student club/course hybrid relaunched in 2018 as Spartan News, a practicum that uses smart phone production kits to see, shoot, and share campus news. I teach the course and student leadership offers feedback, support, and curates our YouTube and Instagram feeds. I've also facilitated professional opportunities for UTTV students like crewing an E! Network shoot for the reality TV show Total Bellas (an event covered by the Tampa Bay Times). As the lead instructor for studio television, I've also kept the studio facilities current by converting our single-purpose TV control room into a hybrid control room/studio (see blueprint, diagram, and before/after) and updating the camera and switchers from standard definition (analog) to high definition (HD) and then 4K resolution. Today, students shoot with Blackmagic cameras in front of our new state-of-the-art LED volume (a large scale video wall) that can bring virtual sets to life in real time. I've also used video production in my theory classes by assigning videographic essays and offered a special section of COM 313: Documentary Production so students could crew on the set of Epic Chef Showdown, a reality TV style cooking competition shot at the Epicurean Hotel's Kitchen Theatre as a way to raise funds for Feeding Tampa Bay (see style guide, script, and a few pictures on set). For more evidence of my teaching effectiveness in and out of the classroom, please review this list of ten alumni who now work in broadcast news and these testimonials from twenty former students (also excerpted below).
The courses I've taught the most at UT are COM 236: UTTV Student Television and COM 303 Studio TV I. UTTV is a student club/course hybrid relaunched in 2018 as Spartan News, a practicum that uses smart phone production kits to see, shoot, and share campus news. I teach the course and student leadership offers feedback, support, and curates our YouTube and Instagram feeds. I've also facilitated professional opportunities for UTTV students like crewing an E! Network shoot for the reality TV show Total Bellas (an event covered by the Tampa Bay Times). As the lead instructor for studio television, I've also kept the studio facilities current by converting our single-purpose TV control room into a hybrid control room/studio (see blueprint, diagram, and before/after) and updating the camera and switchers from standard definition (analog) to high definition (HD) and then 4K resolution. Today, students shoot with Blackmagic cameras in front of our new state-of-the-art LED volume (a large scale video wall) that can bring virtual sets to life in real time. I've also used video production in my theory classes by assigning videographic essays and offered a special section of COM 313: Documentary Production so students could crew on the set of Epic Chef Showdown, a reality TV style cooking competition shot at the Epicurean Hotel's Kitchen Theatre as a way to raise funds for Feeding Tampa Bay (see style guide, script, and a few pictures on set). For more evidence of my teaching effectiveness in and out of the classroom, please review this list of ten alumni who now work in broadcast news and these testimonials from twenty former students (also excerpted below).
UTTV: Spartan News
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UTTV Alumni: local news reporters
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UTTV: Total Bellas edition
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COM 313: documentary production
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Epic Chef Showdown: feeding Tampa Bay
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Lady Place: a videographic essay
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That's a Wrap! studio TV
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The Minneola Awards: studio TV
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Film Archetypes: the hero's journey
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STUDENT Testimonials
"I have greatly enjoyed and benefited from the class I took with Dr. Boulton. He gave us a chance to speak and ask questions in a very professional environment while having fun." ~ Alana Tully ’23, digital marketing executive at Matco-Norca
"Dr. Boulton’s teaching style reflects the caliber of work expected from his students: exceptionally purposeful and comprehensive. The collaborative environment required the students to become more invested in their search for understanding." ~ Megan Hauck '23, JD candidate at Florida State University College of Law
"Dr. Boulton's feedback not only honed my technical skills but also helped me improve my verbal and written communication, group work, and storytelling abilities. It was an invaluable experience." ~ Tyler Murcko '22, graphic design specialist at Peapod Digital Labs
"Even as an international student from Spain whose first language wasn’t English, it didn’t take me much time to feel safe in Professor Boulton's class. He was always very encouraging with me, and with the feedback he gave me after every activity I felt more and more confident. Professor Boulton cares about his students. The last day of class he prepared a little awards gala for us, having something specific to say about every single student highlighting our individual qualities." ~ Silvia Ferreiros Fernández '22, sports editor at Movistar Plus+
"Professor Boulton took the time to meet with any student during the semester before or after class to go over questions or concerns they may have. His passion and love for broadcast journalism emanated through his teaching and made the class much more engaging and fun. I can confidently say that Professor Boulton’s course was the most rewarding course I took during my time at UT and I am now a news reporter because of it." ~ Haley Connor ’21, news reporter at WFXR
"Dr. Boulton helped me understand TV, something that has been present in my everyday life, as something that is so much greater and more complicated than I had ever imagined...which in turn has helped me create various successful videos to promote the company where I work." ~ Daphne Barquin Cadena ‘21, social media coordinator at Symphonic Distribution
"Dr. Boulton's teaching style was logical and right to the point and enforced discipline in us as a group to learn the material and work together to deliver our best work - all while having a great time." ~ Nick Gross '20, creative associate at Superdigital
"Professor Boulton was always filled with excitement and knew how to get the very best out of all of his students in and out of the classroom. I know I will continue to use the valuable knowledge and vital skills I learned from Professor Boulton throughout my career in the film industry as I continue to work my way up the ladder." ~ Michael Fandozzi '20, set production assistant at Lionsgate
"Dr. Boulton was a great instructor. He was knowledgeable, passionate, and up to the latest industry developments. And he connected many students with several professionals in the television industry." ~ Mauricio Rich Taraschi '19, corporate communication at Solute Ingenieros
“Dr. Boulton’s grading criteria was very thorough and to do well on an assignment you needed to really pay attention to details and make sure you hit all of the requirements...he kept encouraging and pushing us to improve our stories, even when we thought they had gotten as good as they possible could.” ~ Anuoluwapo Bamidele '19, freelance production assistant
"Dr. Boulton was overall just a knowledgeable professor who was always willing to help you. I could see that it wasn’t just a job for him, he really put his heart into helping students succeed." ~ Anissa Lopez ’18, reporter at Raleigh Spectrum News
"In Dr. Boulton’s class, I learned how to collaborate effectively with colleagues, communicate clearly, and contribute to a common goal. These skills have been valuable in all my jobs that involved project management, meeting deadlines, and optimizing workflow." ~ Lleana Crawford '18, traffic specialist, Horizon Media
"I particularly remember taking a Cultural Studies course with Dr. Boulton. I am half black and half white, female, part of the LGBTA community, and from a military family, but he always found a way of making me think even further and opening my eyes to things I nor my classmates would have ever even thought of." ~ Kapri Walker '18, manager of learning development and DEI advocate at Ultimate Medical Academy
"I had the privilege of having Professor Boulton for several classes. Each class incorporated technical skills significant to my desired field, as well as critical thinking and problem solving. He exhibited care and attention to me and to every student." ~ Creed Smith ‘17, video producer at The Wilbert Group
"We spent months and months critiquing, analyzing, and creating a website that eventually helped me land my first job in a media market college students typically wouldn't start in.” ~ Chris Grisby '17, news reporter at Spectrum News
“Every time we thought we were satisfied with something, Dr. Boulton questioned us and pushed us to continue to strive for the best.” ~ Angel Rivera '16, photographer and director of Solace in Amal
"A through line of Dr. Boulton's teaching style that I always appreciated was looking at how media has a direct impact on culture, with an emphasis on social justice." ~ Miranda Palumbo ’16, director of digital content, Perelman Performing Arts Center
“Dr. Boulton is someone that I admired and strived to impress which pushed me to participate at the fullest of my potential whether being a presentation, in my writing, or documentary filmmaking.” ~ Steffan Siebel-Cortopassi '15, freelance videographer
“Working with Dr. Boulton in many capacities was without a doubt the highlight of my experience at UT...his mentorship and hands-on approach gave me opportunities no other professor would have provided, and enabled me to participate in real-world activities that gave me the ideal experience and toolkit to be successful long after graduation.” ~ Eric Langhoff '15, senior producer at L¡VE
"Dr. Boulton’s teaching style reflects the caliber of work expected from his students: exceptionally purposeful and comprehensive. The collaborative environment required the students to become more invested in their search for understanding." ~ Megan Hauck '23, JD candidate at Florida State University College of Law
"Dr. Boulton's feedback not only honed my technical skills but also helped me improve my verbal and written communication, group work, and storytelling abilities. It was an invaluable experience." ~ Tyler Murcko '22, graphic design specialist at Peapod Digital Labs
"Even as an international student from Spain whose first language wasn’t English, it didn’t take me much time to feel safe in Professor Boulton's class. He was always very encouraging with me, and with the feedback he gave me after every activity I felt more and more confident. Professor Boulton cares about his students. The last day of class he prepared a little awards gala for us, having something specific to say about every single student highlighting our individual qualities." ~ Silvia Ferreiros Fernández '22, sports editor at Movistar Plus+
"Professor Boulton took the time to meet with any student during the semester before or after class to go over questions or concerns they may have. His passion and love for broadcast journalism emanated through his teaching and made the class much more engaging and fun. I can confidently say that Professor Boulton’s course was the most rewarding course I took during my time at UT and I am now a news reporter because of it." ~ Haley Connor ’21, news reporter at WFXR
"Dr. Boulton helped me understand TV, something that has been present in my everyday life, as something that is so much greater and more complicated than I had ever imagined...which in turn has helped me create various successful videos to promote the company where I work." ~ Daphne Barquin Cadena ‘21, social media coordinator at Symphonic Distribution
"Dr. Boulton's teaching style was logical and right to the point and enforced discipline in us as a group to learn the material and work together to deliver our best work - all while having a great time." ~ Nick Gross '20, creative associate at Superdigital
"Professor Boulton was always filled with excitement and knew how to get the very best out of all of his students in and out of the classroom. I know I will continue to use the valuable knowledge and vital skills I learned from Professor Boulton throughout my career in the film industry as I continue to work my way up the ladder." ~ Michael Fandozzi '20, set production assistant at Lionsgate
"Dr. Boulton was a great instructor. He was knowledgeable, passionate, and up to the latest industry developments. And he connected many students with several professionals in the television industry." ~ Mauricio Rich Taraschi '19, corporate communication at Solute Ingenieros
“Dr. Boulton’s grading criteria was very thorough and to do well on an assignment you needed to really pay attention to details and make sure you hit all of the requirements...he kept encouraging and pushing us to improve our stories, even when we thought they had gotten as good as they possible could.” ~ Anuoluwapo Bamidele '19, freelance production assistant
"Dr. Boulton was overall just a knowledgeable professor who was always willing to help you. I could see that it wasn’t just a job for him, he really put his heart into helping students succeed." ~ Anissa Lopez ’18, reporter at Raleigh Spectrum News
"In Dr. Boulton’s class, I learned how to collaborate effectively with colleagues, communicate clearly, and contribute to a common goal. These skills have been valuable in all my jobs that involved project management, meeting deadlines, and optimizing workflow." ~ Lleana Crawford '18, traffic specialist, Horizon Media
"I particularly remember taking a Cultural Studies course with Dr. Boulton. I am half black and half white, female, part of the LGBTA community, and from a military family, but he always found a way of making me think even further and opening my eyes to things I nor my classmates would have ever even thought of." ~ Kapri Walker '18, manager of learning development and DEI advocate at Ultimate Medical Academy
"I had the privilege of having Professor Boulton for several classes. Each class incorporated technical skills significant to my desired field, as well as critical thinking and problem solving. He exhibited care and attention to me and to every student." ~ Creed Smith ‘17, video producer at The Wilbert Group
"We spent months and months critiquing, analyzing, and creating a website that eventually helped me land my first job in a media market college students typically wouldn't start in.” ~ Chris Grisby '17, news reporter at Spectrum News
“Every time we thought we were satisfied with something, Dr. Boulton questioned us and pushed us to continue to strive for the best.” ~ Angel Rivera '16, photographer and director of Solace in Amal
"A through line of Dr. Boulton's teaching style that I always appreciated was looking at how media has a direct impact on culture, with an emphasis on social justice." ~ Miranda Palumbo ’16, director of digital content, Perelman Performing Arts Center
“Dr. Boulton is someone that I admired and strived to impress which pushed me to participate at the fullest of my potential whether being a presentation, in my writing, or documentary filmmaking.” ~ Steffan Siebel-Cortopassi '15, freelance videographer
“Working with Dr. Boulton in many capacities was without a doubt the highlight of my experience at UT...his mentorship and hands-on approach gave me opportunities no other professor would have provided, and enabled me to participate in real-world activities that gave me the ideal experience and toolkit to be successful long after graduation.” ~ Eric Langhoff '15, senior producer at L¡VE